In the Word: El Roi

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at different names of God found in Scripture, and how these different aspects of who He is offer us hope in the midst of our grief.  As we study together, we encourage you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you study these names of God along with us! 

El Roi: “The God Who Sees”

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for
she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

READ:

After being driven from her home by the abuse of her mistress, Hagar, pregnant, sets out into the wilderness. Even before she cries out, before she can even fully name the pain in her heart, the Angel of the Lord (likely the pre-incarnate Jesus) finds her in the desert. He calls her by her name, and asks where she is coming from and where she is going. Of course, He already knows the answer, but He genuinely cares for Hagar and her troubles, and in that moment, steps in and initiates a conversation.

Friend, in the presence of Jesus, we cannot go unnoticed. He is the God who sees us. He sees our isolation, our broken hearts and broken bodies, and stands ready to heal us.

Sister, if you are feeling unseen, unloved, or unlovable today, He sees you. If you feel that you’ve overburdened your friends and families, that your grief is too much for them, He sees you. If you feel frustrated and confused because not only is your little one not in your arms, but another month has come and gone with no new babe on the horizon, He sees you. So come, trembling, and fall at His feet. He longs to know you deeply, personally, and intimately.

REFLECT:

1. In what areas of your life do feel unseen by those around you?
2. What practical effect does knowing that you are fully seen and understood by a loving God have in your life?

JOURNAL:

Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Spend some time reflecting on what this means for you and your precious Hope Baby. How does the truth that God saw you and your baby before you were yet conceived offer hope and comfort to you in the midst of such heavy grief?

Sam is a graphic designer and marketing professional in Frisco, Texas. She and her husband, Spencer, have been married since 2011, and have two children in heaven, Max & Baby Martin, and one in their arms, Lachlan. They enjoy serving in their church, building community, and restoring their 100 year-old home. Sam is in two book clubs and can always be found with a book in her purse and a warm beverage in her hand.

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